CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – December 21, 2010 – The City of Cedar Rapids has been awarded a $2.5 million grant from The Hall-Perrine Foundation for the construction of the Cedar Rapids Convention Complex.

“The Board of Directors chose to support the Cedar Rapids Convention Complex because they believe it will not only improve the quality of life for citizens in Linn County, but also for thousands of visitors from outside our community,” said Jack Evans, president of The Hall-Perrine Foundation. “The board is convinced that this complex will positively transform the economic future of downtown Cedar Rapids.”

“The City is deeply appreciative of the tremendous support we’ve received from The Hall-Perrine Foundation for this and other City projects,” said Jeff Pomeranz, Cedar Rapids City Manager. “We’ve been able to leverage the foundation’s contributions to secure additional dollars from
private donors and the State of Iowa.”

The City of Cedar Rapids is building a new convention complex in downtown, which includes the renovation of the U.S. Cellular Center arena and the Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel. When the 475,000 square foot complex is completed in February 2013, it will become the second largest convention and events center in the State of Iowa. For more information about the Cedar Rapids Convention complex, visit www.CRProgress.com.

About The Hall-Perrine Foundation
The Hall-Perrine Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people of Linn County, Iowa, by responding to changing social, economic and cultural needs. The foundation was incorporated in 1953 by Cedar Rapids forefather Howard Hall and his wife, Beahl and Irene Perrine and their mother, Margaret Lamey Hall. For more information about the foundation, visit www.hallperrine.org.